After years in a developmental state of flux, it appears that New Line Cinema has officially brought director F. Gary Gray (Friday) on board as director for their N.W.A. biopic, Straight Outta Compton.

Before the studio and producers decided on Gray for the directing gig, John Singleton (Boyz N The Hood), George Tillman (Notorious), and Elgin James (Little Birds) were in the running for the long-gestating project that is finally gaining traction.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the script, which was written by Andrea Berloff (World Trade Center) “details the rise and fall of the Compton, California-based group, whose initials stood for ‘N*ggaz With Attitude.’ The members included drug-dealer-turned-label founder Eazy-E, a young DJ Dr. Dre, and the politically active Ice Cube, plus MC Ren and DJ Yella. Another member, Arabian Prince, left N.W.A. before the group released the groundbreaking debut album Straight Outta Compton in 1988.”

Rumors in the past have suggested that Eric Wright Jr., who is more famously known as Lil’ Eazy E, could be at the top of the list to portray his father in the biopic.

After being removed from the shortlist to direct next summer’s Marvel tentpole Captain America 2, Gray finalized talks with New Line to get the deal done and put the biopic on the fast-track.

Straight Outta Compton is being produced by former N.W.A. member Ice Cube and his Cube Vision partner, Matt Alvarez, along with Eazy-E’s widow, Tomica Woods.

There is currently no production-start or release date for Straight Outta Compton.